Packing your hospital bag is probably one of the most exciting but stressful tasks to do when preparing for baby’s arrival. I was so excited when packing because it meant that I would soon be meeting my baby. I was also very stressed because I wanted to make sure I had everything I would need for myself and my baby. I am yet to meet anybody who didn’t forget to pack at least one essential for their hospital bag. I was talking to one of my friends recently who is preparing to have her baby and she had totally forgot to pack anything for herself!
So this is the list I used when buying and packing for the arrival of Noah.
Baby Essentials
Nappies – I signed up to the Emma’s Diary app, you can take a barcode to Boots and they exchange it for a goody bag which contains a small pack of newborn pampers and some nappy cream! All for free!
Cotton wool – for the first nappy changes
Bottles and ready made formula – Even if you are planning to breast feed, take some formula and bottles just in case. I had a couple of bottles of Kendamil which cost me £1 from Iceland
Baby grows and vests x 2 – for after baby is born and prior to going home
Hats x 2 – the midwives like to put a hat on baby straight after birth to help them retain heat
Muslins/bibs x 5 – in case baby vomits after that first feed
Going home outfit – this really stressed me out because I had no idea how big my baby was going to be
Pram suit – This is super important during the winter months especially. We went for a teddy fleece material so baby could wear it in the car
Car seat – it sounds ridiculous but its surprising how many people forget the car seat! They wont allow you to leave hospital without one!
Mummy essentials
NOTES – Do not forget your bounty pack!
Nightshirts x 2 – thin cotton nightshirts with buttons if you plan to breast feed
Change of clothes – just in case
Going home clothes – I promise you wont care what you look like, the looser clothes the better
Maternity Bras – the lady in Marks and Spencer told me to be fitted for maternity bras no earlier than 36 weeks
Breast Pads – there is nothing worse than wet patches! You can get a free pack of these with the Boots parenting club on the App (you also get a free MAM bottle and dummy)
Maternity pads – I went so wrong with these! I bought Boots own brand – they were crap! I ended up with Lilets maternity pads from amazon which were absolutely brilliant!
Knickers x 5 pairs – BIG knickers! I just bought black cotton ones from Marks and Spencers but you can get disposable knickers. FridaMom do a disposable boyshort 8 pack for £14.99
Wash bag – all your usual bits and bobs make sure you have a flannel, hair ties and lip Balm
A towel – yours will be softer than the hospitals
Breast feeding pillow – A lot of hospitals only have limited pillows, take your breast feeding pillow for extra comfort
A fan – You will get hot even in winter! I forgot this which resulted in the husband to be slapping wet paper towels off over me!
Medication you may be taking
Snacks and drinks – I forgot these which is why the husband to be was starving!
Chargers – phone chargers, iPad chargers. Try to make sure your phone is charged ready for those first photos of your newborn
As I’ve mentioned in the list there are so many freebies and offers out there you just need to know where to look.
Boots advantage card app – Join the parenting club and not only do you get the freebies I mentioned you also get 8 points per £1 you spend on baby essentials/clothes! I bought my prep machine and breast pump and the points I got paid for nappies, creams and bath wash. You don’t get points for stage 1 baby formula as this is against government guidance
Emma’s diary app – when you join Emma’s diary you get three barcodes to scan in boots in exchange for 3 different goody bags. The first one is the best, but all three bags contain samples and vouchers for a range of different things
Amazon baby wish list – Create your wish list, choose your free welcome gift, share your list with loved ones and once a transaction for £20 or more has gone through on the wish list, they will send you your free gift (we chose a tommee tippee nappy bin worth £23!)
I really hope that this has helped when packing your hospital bag and also saves you a little bit of money along the way!